Summary:Went out this last weekend and rode the entire 301 loop in the suggested direction. The start of the trail is wide and flowing. It takes you behind the visitors center then up the rock garden after you cross the road and up to the power lines. Getting up to the power lines is technical with some rock garden. Coming down the power lines is gradual to scary steep. Had to walk some of the steep near the end because of leaves and it being frozen over. From there you drop down to the creek [beware of loose rocks] and start a forest service road climb. Not steep but gradual climbing with loose rocks and some down trees. From there it takes you up and down until you get to the last intersection where you start the massive uphill climb. The beginning of the last climb is ride-able, but further up the trail is washed out a bit and not as easy. It gets easier as you get closer to the car.

The scenery is amazing and the waterfall/creek is awesome!

I ride mostly singletrack, so being on this was a change. I didn't like the unkempt nature of the trail with down trees and frequent too big to run over rocks. It was a major challenge to stay on the bike for long periods of time. I'm gonna try it again in the summer, maybe it gets ridden more. Not for the faint of heart. It took us nearly 3 hours to do the 15 mile loop.

Recommended Route:301 suggested direction.

Other recommended trails in the same area:Tons near Elijay

Would you like to Comment?Join MTBR for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.

Summary:I rode the entire 301 trail in the clockwise direction. Not sure if it is bidirectional but I would not recommend any other way. I prefer flowy racey trails so this one was not for me with some gnarly rocks and sticks all over the trail. It's a an old logging/gold mine trail and in many areas has not had a lick of maintenance. The 1000' downhill is a real kick and not for the timid. I had XC brakes with a 140mm on the rear and they were smoking hot requiring me to stop several times to let them cool.

The trail has some great views and it's so different than what I like it was a real challenge. I averaged a third less average speed for the 15 mile length. Watch out for the few miles before the park office as its a real challenge. I can't imagine anyone riding the steep switchbacks at the bottom near the creek. You WILL be pushing your bike.

Recommended Route:Clockwise and allow more time than you would normally for a 15 mile ride.

I would not ride again but glad I did once. I'll be back to single track and fewer rocks!

Would you like to Comment?Join MTBR for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.

Summary:I noticed that these reviews were a few years old so I thought I'd offer what little I can. I've been hearing about improvements there and while I was there, the campground host mentioned that they had nice mtb trails. I rode about 9 miles of the outer loop trail recently but I began on the far side of the dam (when riding counter-clockwise which was the designated direction on Sat.). The trail was pretty well maintained and marked. It was hard packed dirt with some rocks and roots. It's got a lot more single track than it used to, I think, but this as my first time there. It's technical riding with at least one rock garden option. I was riding on the least hilly side of the lake I think because I saw some pretty long looking trails running under power lines and such but didn't ride them. I'm also aware that there is an area called the Monster Mile which, as I understand it, is a long downhill with some rises along the way that give a roller-coaster-like feel to the decent. I discovered that the MM is located behind the damn but that discovery came after I had left the trail so, next time. There will be a next time too. Ft Yargo is a nice park and from what I saw, it has nice mtb trails too. GA State Parks seems to have been investing in attracting mtn bikers and I think they spent some of that money at Ft Yargo.

Summary:Very challenging trail. I only had a couple of hours so I wasn't able to ride the entire "301" trail. Instead I did the "302" trail, then took the 301 back to the bike parking area/trailhead. This took took about an hour and a half. The 302 drops down into a deep valley, and the descent is very technically difficult. Many switchbacks, and a roadbed comprised of loose golfball to softball sized rocks. I found it difficult to impossible to maintain much speed at all. The topographical map shows this as a 1ooo' drop. This is followed by a 1ooo' switchback climb with a similar road surface. I road it in autumn, when the climb not only had the loose rocks, but also piles of leaves, making many parts unrideable. I pushed up on foot probably 1/3 of this climb. Not the most rideable trail, but definetely a supreme workout. And I've ridden a lot trails around the SE, and no other trail can match this one in scenary. I'm looking forward to coming back and riding the entire 301 trail (map says 4+ hours). There is also a short/beginer lake loop.

Recommended Route:Entrance to park is between Chatsworth and Ellijay. Bear in mind that cyclists need a seperate permit to ride the trails. I stopped in the office to get a map and ask where the bike parking lot was. The guy in the office said NOTHING about any bike trail permit to me, the 1st I knew about it was a sign out on the trail saying riders without permits would be prosecuted. Kind of a bummer. BE SURE TO GET A MAP! You'll be totally lost without it. Signs on trail are good.

Would you like to Comment?Join MTBR for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.

Summary:I road the trail starting at the bike park n' ride, and went on the 302. I went down the 302 switchbacks and then right down, down, down, then up, up, up, up. I would go from 25mph(scared to go faster) to 3 yes 3
mph I went 3-4mph for 2miles up this mountain. I am a high placing sport rider and only managed around 7mph. I was a little scared at one point cause I was by myself, and you can't get back to the park very easily. I was doing the down hill Power line stuff, was crazy steep(with rocks etc.., it)kept going down,down, down. My ass was hanging over my rear wheel, and my legs were starting to ache from flexing for so long. At the end of the ride I did this hard switch back(302) that I started the ride going down; I did it going
up. I got a standing ovation from 4 hiker women at the top who had
just hiked it, I was pretty happy to make it up that(no dabs) with the
rocks and roots. A good ride for those in shape, not single track though. I would do it again.

Recommended Route:Take 302-to the 301 then back up the 302(against flow though) to the road 16-17miles

Other recommended trails in the same area:Carters Lake was nice up and downs 7miles.

Would you like to Comment?Join MTBR for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.